Charity chiefs back PM in donor boost appeal

A CHARITY aimed at getting people signed up to be a bone marrow donor has said that Prime Minister David Cameron’s backing of the Mail’s Taking Five Minutes campaign was “wonderful news”.

Henny Braund, chief executive of Anthony Nolan, spoke of her delight after the country’s top politician decided to throw his weight behind the initiative and urged more people in Burton and South Derbyshire to become an organ, bone marrow or blood donor.

This comes as part of a renewed effort by cancer survivor Katherine Sinfield, 33, of Balfour Street, to get more people in the area signed up after a recent survey showed that more people were needed to help out.

Mrs Braund said: “It’s wonderful news that David Cameron is backing this campaign and that he has recognised the role that MPs can play in increasing the number of potential donors in their communities.

“Two thirds of people who need a lifesaving bone marrow transplant can’t find a donor within their own family, so it’s absolutely vital that people join the Anthony Nolan register.

“We are hugely grateful to David Cameron for highlighting this important issue, and we now need even more people to join the fight against blood cancer and champion the register at a local level, as we know such support works.”

People aged 16 to 30 can join the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register just by filling in an online form and providing a saliva sample.

Mrs Sinfield has been campaigning for more people to come forward ever since she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and told the only way she would live is that if she secured a bone marrow transplant.

Mr Cameron spoke highly of her efforts.

He said: “Leukaemia bone marrow transplants have better outcomes if the donor has the same tissue type as the person who is receiving the donation, which is why the Mail’s campaign is so important.

“I hope the campaign can find donors for the many others battling leukaemia who are awaiting a potentially lifesaving individual to come forward to their aid.”